Vote to go ahead
Plans to delay this May’s East Sussex County Council elections until 2027 have been abandoned after the government received advice it could be unlawful.
Local Government Secretary Steve Reed announced the U-turn on Monday 17 February ahead of a legal challenge in the High Court due to be heard on Thursday. ESCC is due to be abolished as part of the biggest reorganisation of local government in over 50 years.
An East Sussex County Council spokesperson said, “The factors which led to the government deciding to postpone elections have not changed. Councils undertaking local government reorganisation and devolution already face huge additional work which will only intensify with the added demand of organising elections this year. We will now need to re-examine the position given the short notice and resources available.”
The election for all county council seats is now re-scheduled for Thursday 7 May.
Rye Bay Scallop Week
The 22nd Rye Bay Scallop Week starts this weekend. Restaurants in and around Rye will be celebrating scallops in their menus from Saturday 21 February until Sunday 1 March.
There’s music too in the town’s bars and pubs. There is also Sea Shanty Saturday on 21 February when three local shanty bands will be performing in ten different locations.
More details of all the events on the Rye Bay Scallop Week website.
Impassable
The track along the bottom of Cadborough Cliff between Rye and Winchelsea – part of a national cycle route – is being discussed next week.
Rother District Council meets on Monday 23 February and the route between Gibbet Marsh and Float Lane is under discussion.
It will call on East Sussex County Council to repair the track, noting, “For much of the year, the condition of the surface renders the path impassable for cyclists, wheelchair users, mobility scooter users, parents with buggies, and those who are less sure-footed, significantly restricting accessibility and excluding many residents and visitors.”
Rye News will have a report on the meeting’s decision next week.
Report them
Our picture shows the pothole at the bottom of Udimore Road as you head into Rye – just one of hundreds on local roads made worse by recent rain.
Here’s the criteria Easy Sussex Highways use for assessing how soon potholes are repaired.
The county council is urging local people to use this online link to report potholes. You can also track progress on the repairs.
If you’ve had to repair your car after pothole damage leave a comment below or email info@ryenews.org.uk
.Town meeting 4 March
Rye’s annual town meeting is on Wednesday 4 March. This year it will be in the Rye Community Centre on Conduit Hill from 6.30pm.
The meeting is organised by Rye Town Council. For the first hour it’s a chance to meet councillors and representatives from local organisations, including Rye Heritage Centre and Rye Leisure Centre. From 7.30pm Mayor Andy Stuart will give his overview, followed by a question and answer session.
Image Credits: David Brookless , Kt bruce , James Stewart , ESCC , RTC .